Shettima commends security agencies for ‘dismantling criminal networks’ in north-west

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended security forces for “dismantling criminal networks” as they battle terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country.

Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the ‘Inaugural North West Peace and Security Summit’ in Katsina on Monday.

The event was organised by the north-west governors’ forum and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The vice-president said through “enhanced border security and intelligence capability”, security forces have been able to eliminate leaders of terrorist and insurgent groups in the north.

“Our military forces through various operations like Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Safe Haven have made true promises to the nation by targeting insurgent groups like Boko Haram and bandits,” he said. 

“Through enhanced border security and intelligence capability, we have disrupted and dismantled criminal networks.

“We have long established that whatever ails any part of this federation destabilises the other. So, the issue of national security in the north-west is not a sectional agenda.

“We promised to make Nigeria safer, and this aim has been our topmost priority since we came to office over a year ago.

“We must also reverse the institutional frailties governing security and the economic dysfunctions that create vulnerabilities to crime.

“We must also counter the ideological mischief that has pervaded the discourse of peace and security in the region.”

Shettima added that the federal government has rolled out humanitarian interventions to address the root cause of disputes and insecurity in the north.

“One of the non-kinetic interventions we have rolled out is the Pulaku settlement initiative. We believe it is a timely solution to address some of the root causes of dispute and insecurity in the north-west,” he said.

“Our choice of Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states for the pilot phase is strategically planned to create positive, nationwide transformations.

“The comprehensive plan includes building residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, fulfilling our pledge to the nation.

“We have secured N51 billion in our custody. We will start rolling out the programmes in the next couple of weeks.”